Dear Thunder Bay Residents,
As our city continues to grow, one of the most pressing challenges we face is making sure there are enough places for people to live—whether you're renting, buying, or simply looking for more housing options. That’s where Additional Dwelling Units, or ADUs, come in. I want to take a moment to explain why I believe they’re such a valuable tool for our community.
An ADU is a separate living space that you can add to your property. It might be a basement apartment, a converted garage, or even a small home in your backyard. The idea is that we can create more homes without the need for new land development, helping to meet the growing demand for housing without sprawling out into new areas.
The great thing about ADUs is that they benefit everyone—homeowners, renters, and our community as a whole. For homeowners, adding an ADU can be a smart financial move. It can provide a source of rental income, which can help cover mortgage payments or simply give you extra money to put toward other priorities. ADUs are also a fantastic solution for multigenerational families. They offer a way to keep loved ones close while still maintaining privacy and independence, whether it’s for aging parents or grown children. And if you’re thinking about long-term value, an ADU can even increase your property’s overall worth.
But it gets even better: right now, there are incentives available through the Housing Accelerator Fund that could cover up to 100% of the costs to build an ADU. This funding is only available for a limited time, but it’s an amazing opportunity.
There are a few different ways to add an ADU depending on your space and what works best for your property. We have put together a helpful ADU Guide to walk you through the process. This guide will help you understand zoning, permits, and design requirements so you can make sure everything is up to code and in line with the city’s regulations.
I know the idea of building an ADU might sound complicated, but we’ve worked hard to make the process as simple as possible. You can download the guide online at BuildThunderBay.ca. Our planning and building staff are always available to help if you have questions along the way.
I’m reaching out to homeowners, property owners, and anyone interested in making Thunder Bay a better place to live: now is the time to consider adding an ADU to your property. With the generous funding available, there’s no better opportunity to be part of the solution to our housing challenges. Whether you’re looking for rental income, want to provide a living space for a family member, or are simply looking for a way to invest in your property, an ADU could be exactly what you’re looking for.
If you’re ready to take the next step or if you just want more information, I encourage you to check out the ADU Guide or reach out to the City. City staff are here to help you every step of the way.
Together, we can Build Thunder Bay into a stronger, more vibrant City—one additional dwelling unit at a time!
Sincerely,
Ken Boshcoff
Mayor of Thunder Bay
